22.9.11

Somewhere in TN....

For the first time in their 44 years of political history, many of the Dravidian parties including the DMK are contesting the local body elections – scheduled for October 17 and 19 –on their own strength, without an alliance. The ruling AIADMK is also likely to contest alone in the election. Political analysts say that after four decades the people of Tamil Nadu have a chance to know the real strength of the political parties. The results of the polls, which will be declared on October 21, may result in a realignment of political equations for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Many people would, in general, vote for the ruling party as funds for government schemes will be allotted to local bodies headed by the ruling party, said columnist Govi Lenin. The DMK aligned with Rajaji’s Swatantra Party, CPM and IUML during the 1967 assembly elections and formed its first government under the leadership of C N Annadurai. The party faced its first major split in 1972 and its star-turned leader M G Ramachandran (MGR) formed the AIADMK. Since then, the DMK and the AIADMK have tied up with other political parties in the assembly, Lok Sabha and local body elections. DMK, Congress, PMK, MDMK, IUML and a few other parties have announced that they are going alone. DMDK is yet to announce its decision. Meanwhile, the AIADMK resumed talks with Left parties at the residence of chief minister J Jayalalithaa and the deliberations were till late evening.

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